title: Anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activities of the aqueous extract of Micromeria fruticosa (L.) Druce ssp Serpyllifolia in mice.
abstract: Micromeria fruticosa is used widely in many Mediterranean regions for various inflammatory conditions. The aim of this work was to assess the anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activities of the aqueous extract of Micromeria fruticosa. The aqueous extract of Micromeria fruticosa was tested orally in mice at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg in carrageenan-induced paw edema, vascular permeability, myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) and indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration. In the paw edema model, the extract at dose of 200 mg/ kg, exhibited a significant anti-inflammatory effect, while the extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg reduced significantly the vascular permeability and MPO activity in a dose dependant manner. Oral pretreatment of the aqueous extract reduced significantly the development of gastric lesions induced by indomethacin at dose of 200 mg/kg only. Results suggest that the aqueous extract of Micromeria fruticosa has both anti-inflammatory as well as, gastroprotective activities. Thus it could be used as an alternative or supplementary herbal remedy for the treatment of inflammatory diseases especially when combined with strong anti-inflammatory medications that have ulcerogenic side effects such as NSAIDs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Dubai Pharmacy College, Dubai, UAE.
authors.forename: Eman
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abu-Gharbieh
authors.forename: Naglaa Gamil
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Shehab
authors.forename: Saeed Ahmed
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D002351:Carrageenan; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000633:toxicity; D019686:Lamiaceae; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002351:Carrageenan; D009195:Peroxidase; D007213:Indomethacin